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Understanding Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal arrangement between the Australian Government and a specific state, territory, or regional authority. It is designed to provide regional areas with access to a greater number of skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers than standard skilled migration pathways allow. These agreements offer tailored migration solutions to help regions meet unique economic and labor market demands.

Role of the Designated Area Representative (DAR)

The DAR is typically a state or territory government agency, a regional development body, or a local authority (such as a council or chamber of commerce). The DAR collaborates with the federal government to establish the DAMA head agreement, which outlines:

Government Review and Future Directions

In December 2023, the Australian Government released its Migration Strategy, committing to a review of regional migration settings. This review focuses on improving how regional visas, occupation lists, and DAMAs serve the workforce and community while ensuring protection against worker exploitation.

In June 2024, the government published a discussion paper aimed at enhancing regional migration frameworks to build sustainable and resilient regional communities.

Further Support for Regional Migration

Employers and stakeholders looking into DAMAs or other regional migration options can explore additional guidance through regional migration support services or labor agreement pathways. These programs aim to strengthen local economies while ensuring migration policies remain fair, effective, and community-aligned.

Existing DAMAs​

There are currently 13 active DAMAs across Australia. Each is managed by a designated regional authority, which provides detailed information on eligibility, application processes, and the specific areas covered under their respective agreements.

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